Forecast: Winter blast for Rockies, Plains; East mild

Nov. 9, 2012
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Bonny Mullins walks through a park during a snowstorm in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday. While more snow is forecast for parts of the Rockies and Plains this weekend, the East will get a much-needed break from the recent wild weather. / Kim Raff AP

by Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

by Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

Winter and fall will be battling it out over the middle of the country this weekend. Heavy snow, bitter cold and icy winds will blast the northern parts of the Rockies and Plains, while much of the Midwest sees near-record warmth. The storm-battered Northeast will also get a much-needed break.

Winter preview: A fierce winter storm will continue to dump heavy snow across the northern and central Rockies and northern Plains Saturday and Sunday. The heaviest snow, with up to a foot possible, is likely in eastern Montana, western Colorado and in most of North Dakota.

High temperatures will only be in the teens, 20s and 30s across much of the region. These readings are as much as 30 degrees below average in some spots.

Mild Midwest: Ahead of an approaching cold front, which will put an end to the warmth, temperatures will soar into the 60s and 70s this weekend in most of the Midwest and Great Lakes. If Chicago hits 71 degrees Saturday, it would tie a record high set in 1949.

Thunderstorms, some of which could reach severe levels, are expected in the central Plains both days as the cold air crashes into the warm air. The main threats are strong winds and large hail.

A break for the East: Gorgeous mid-November weather will be the rule for most of the eastern third of the nation this weekend. Mild temperatures and mostly clear skies are forecast all the way from New England to Florida. Highs will be in the 60s on Sunday as far north as Buffalo.